Below is a recent update of some of the ‘hot spots’ in global tobacco control that FCA is watching in 2014.

Many of them concern challenges from the tobacco industry to governments’ attempts to protect public health by implementing tobacco control measures. These occur at the national level (in courts) as well as in the international arena.

You'll notice additions, and deletions, from our original list. Let us know if we should make other changes.

Australia

The government faces a challenge from Philip Morris Asia to its plain packaging of tobacco products. The company claims the law violates an investment agreement between Hong Kong (its base) and Australia. Another challenge has been launched at the World Trade Organization. Read our article.

Brazil

A challenge from the National Confederation of Industries has delayed the coming into force of a ban on tobacco additives. It was supposed to apply from September, 2013. Read our article.

COOLED OFF - EU

Results of the vote on the revised Tobacco Products Directive on 26 Feb were largely positive. Approved were mandatory warnings covering 65 percent of the top surface of the front and back of cigarette packages and a ban on all characterising flavours, including menthol. The Directive also authorises EU Member States to go beyond the mandatory measures.

NEW! Indonesia

Campaigners forced the cancellation of a tobacco fair planned for Bali in February (see our article). The government continues to delay ratifying the FCTC, but it is rumoured that it will implement pictorial warnings on tobacco packages by July 2014.

Ireland, Republic of

Tthe government has started a process to introduce plain packaging. Read our article.

Malawi

Along with Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe: tobacco-producing countries that will be quick to react to the report of the FCTC Article 17&18 working group on sustainable alternatives to tobacco production.

Thailand

UK

UN Headquarters

A follow-up to 2011's NCD Summit will be held here 10-11 July. The Summit assembled world leaders, and highlighted the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Tobacco use is the one risk factor common to four major NCDs: cancers, cardiovascular and lung disease, and diabetes. Read our article.

Uruguay

The government continues to fight a trade dispute with Philip Morris International at the World Bank. Read our article.

Read also:

Looking for some good news? Check out our Orchids section for global tobacco control success stories.